Duncan Ridge Trail 50k--Novemember 17, 2012

The day I have been waiting for at least a year has arrived!  I have done everything I could possibly do to prepare for this race, so now it's time to knock this off of my bucket list.

I have the usual pre-race jitters, but I am managing them as best as I can and just remind my self that I am prepared for a very long day and to do my best.  I review my race strategy which is hike the hills and run what I can.  I already know that there is very little after the first 3 miles that is actually runnable and that it's going to make for a long day.  But, the sun is out and it's a gorgeous cool morning.

I start the race in a nice comfortable pace.  I am not worried about anyone elses pace because I realize that a lot of folks are running the 30k and there will be a lot of folks who think they are running the 50k who will likely change their minds in about 8 miles and switch to the 30k option.  I cannot run the 50k at a 30k pace as I need to save my legs for an entire day's run/hike.

I pass the first aid station without stopping.  There is no reason for me to stop here as it's 3.5 miles out.  I am enjoying listening to the other runners conversation as it takes my mind off of what is ahead.  Coosa Bald.  It's about a 3-4 mile climb.  I never try to figure out this exact mileage as it's just better NOT to think about it. 

I'm climbing up Coosa Bald and Jason and Brad come up on me and we have a few laughs and chit chat going up which they both eventually pass me.  There are some other runners who pass me but not like last year whereby I was passed in droves.  Coosa is nowhere near as hard as it was last year when I ran the 30k.  However, this year I am prepared and have trained.  Last year, when I ran the 30k I had only run 2 mountain trails and all of my other training was on roads with 15 miles being my longest run EVER.  I remember that 15 mile road run about killing me.  It's not so bad this year!  Oh, what a difference a year makes!

I make it to the 2nd aid station in 2:09 hours.  I am right on track of where I want to be.  I am briefly at the AS.  Some of the guys that were running behind and in front of me where already talking about switching to the 30k option.  I briefly thought, OH HOW I WISH, I was doing the 30k option.  The FS road actually looks good, and I know what lies ahead for the next 8 miles and back on the 50k portion!  But, I keep my goals in mind and know that I must complete the 50k.  But, it was a nice thought!

I move past AS 2 and lo and behold, Kevin is behind me.  This is the guy that I played tortoise and the hare with last year at the DRT 30k!  He is an awesome runner who hurt his knee last year on the DRT and had to switch to the 30k option.  Even with his hurt knee he came in a good bit ahead of me last year.  This year he is struggling to keep up with me.  I am saddened to hear that his knee has been a problem ever since last year and he's had a very frustrating slow year.  He is happy to hear that I've had a great year so far.  It was awesome catching up with him a few miles as I often wondered what became of him and his knee.

I make it to the AS 3 area and stay very briefly.  And, then start another climb up.  This 8 mile section is climb after climb after climb.  It's ridiculous!  I am watching my Garmin every now and then because I know they are closing the Fish Gap AS at 12:30.  I am going to make the cut off ahead of time, and I am happy as the way back won't be as hard, but I will have tired legs at some point.  I somehow catch back up to Jason and chit chat with him before moving on past him on my way to Fish Gap.

It's not much longer before I see Patrick returning and he's in first place on the 50k, but then it's only 1-3 minutes longer before I see Mitch for 2nd place!  I tell Mitch that Patrick is only a few minutes ahead and to go get it!  It's fun seeing the fast people already returning!  So, periodically I see runners returning and it's awesome to watch.  Eventually, I see Tyler and WOW, he's doing so well.  I am so excited for him and we cheer each other on.  I am so excited that we are both running the 50k this year because we both started out on this trail last year as newbies.  I soon see other runners that I know returning like John and Deano and the list goes on. 

It was funny as a guy was coming up a hill and I was coming down and he didn't see me and he actually jumped as I scared the crap out of him.  We had a good laugh!

I make it down to the Fish Gap aid station, and I am happy to see Jason R. and Kia!  They are full of encouragement.  I am so hot as it's warmed up and I have been long over dressed!  I ask Jason if I can drop my jacket here and pick it up at the end of the race.  He gets Wilson to bag it up for me.  I am so thankful for this option as I have yet to pack a drop bag, but I didn't take into account that I might want to dress down later.  I leave Fish Gap at 12:05pm.  I've finished half the race in 4 hours 35 minutes and just 25 minutes before the cut off.  I realize I am probably  not going to make my goal of 8:55 hours, but that's ok!  It's just a goal and it does keep me on track and on pace for at least finishing before 10 hours which was my original goal for the entire year!  I also remind myself that completing the first half of this race with Coosa Bald and the 8 miles of ridiculous climbs in 4:35 hours is actually quite good for a total of just over 16 miles!  And, knowing that I have another 16 miles or so in me is re-assuring.  I am not even hurting.  For whatever reason, I am not having any pain issues.

On the way back the crowd has thinned, and I am primarily running by myself which I always expect to do at a race.  It's nice to be on the returning end as I see runners coming in towards Fish Gap at the turn around point.  But, then I get to a point where I realize all the runners I am seeing are likely to be pulled from the race, and it makes me sad for them because I know for me at least, it would be heart breaking if I were the one going to be pulled.  I eventually run into Kevin and ask how he is doing and he is responds, "not well". But, he encourages me to keep going and assures me that I am doing great.  I feel so badly for him!  This is a guy, when I met him last year, would go on 40 mile runs for fun!  It's a reminder of how I never know how much time I have left with this ultra running and to enjoy it while it lasts.

On yet another climb, I see two guys sitting at the top of the hill.  They see me and they get up and start going.  I thought it was odd that they would just be sitting.  However, on the next climb after that which doesn't take long because that's all I am doing is climb after climb, I come up on these two guys sitting.  I ask if they are ok and the one guy says he's got a leg cramp that hurts so bad and there is nothing he can do to make it better.  I offer him a gel and a salt tab, but he says he's tried all that.  They are not much further from the Mulky Gap station, and he has a friend with him, but I sure hate to see people in pain and not able to walk let alone run. 

Right after that, I come up on these two guys and just run behind them for awhile to the Mulky Gap AS.  One of the guys recognizes me from The Dahlonega Firecracker 10k race and knows me by name.  I have no idea who he is!  I leave the AS before they do and see them a good way behind me as I'm climbing up until I eventually can't see or hear them anymore. 

I am making Relentless Forward Progress until I am getting closer to AS 2 and finally I can stretch my legs and run a good ways.  This feels so good and I just keep gaining momentum and pass about 3 to 4 more guys.  I run all the way into AS 2 and Willy is there cheering me on!  I was never so happy to see Willy, Kena, and Candy!  They are laughing when I tell them how happy I am to finally be at this aid station and that this race is, "HARD".  In fact, it's the hardest race I have ever done.  This is harder than anything I have done.  The only difference in this race is that I am PREPARED and I do NOT hurt.  It's amazing that I don't have any pain.  I am just tired of the climbs.  Kena and Candy are quick to ask me what do I want, and I have no idea.  I have been eating mostly gels all day and very little food except bites of things here and there but I am eating gels frequently.  I am working so hard all day long that I do not even feel hungry, but I get a little stomach burn and then would munch on a gel which would relieve it.  I took it as a hunger pain and would force myself to eat something whenever I felt this burn.

Kena asks me if I want a smore.  For whatever reason that sounds awesome!  I haven't eaten a smore in so many years that I cannot even remember when I last had one!  I have a smore in one hand and a toasted PB&J in the other.  Before I realize it, I am double fisting and eating as fast as I can.  Candy is offering me beer, and I do not know if I should drink beer or not.  I like a beer after a hard run, but I don't know about during.  I am worried about drinking and running because I have never practiced this before...LOL  Candy tells me that I need the carbs and a shot would help.  So, I rationalize that a shot wouldn't hurt and Candy probably knows what she is talking about...LOL

A guy at the AS asks me if I had seen a guy in a grey t-shirt.  I told him yes, that I passed him and 3-4 other guys and that they'd probably be here soon.  He said, "why didn't you tell him to move his ass?"  I said, "because I didn't know him!"...LOL  Everyone laughed and it was funny.  As I am there Brad comes up on the AS, and I say, "how did I get ahead of you?"  He says he saw me run by as he was in the bushes dumping some stuff off...LOL 

I leave this AS and move forward towards the one mile climb that I dread the most out of this entire race.  I know it's a mental block for me, but I don't like this climb at all.  But, I also know that once I reach the top of Coosa it's all downhill till the next AS.  Another runner that I passed earlier passes me on this one mile climb.  We share a laugh as he is a very stronger climber unlike myself.  He assures me that he will see me again on Coosa because his downhill is not good, and he saw me running when I passed him a few miles ago.  It's here that I realize that he has me figured out and actually confirmed something that I only suspected and wondered about.  I am NOT a strong climber, but I do have a great ability to run right after a climb for a very long time.  It's funny because on this race I have seen some really good climbers but they are not as strong with their running.  Interesting!

I make it to the top of Coosa and mentally it feels like a dream!  It's downhill from here!  Except now, for the first time, I feel queasy and surmise it's Candy's beer that is the culprit!  LOL Last year on the 30k, I felt like I trudged down this hill in pain and it took me forever!  This year, it's awesome.  I feel as if I am flying down hill as I have improved so much since last year!  Sure enough, about half way down I pass the strong climber guy!  He laughs as he says, "I knew I'd be seeing you again!".  We both laugh, but as fast as he was climbing, I honestly did not think I'd see him again!  I don't know if my downhill and running ability is really that strong or his downhill and running is just a lot weaker.  But, it's an interesting thought.

I continue running all the way down to the last AS before the finish, and I do not stop.  I yell my number , "29" so that they can record me.  They ask me if I want to stop and eat, and I tell them no thank you as I want to run it in.  They ask me if I have water, and I tell them I am good and thank you for being there.  I cross the bridge running and along about mile 30 a funny thing happens!  My legs will not run anymore!  They will walk very fast, but they will not run.  I try running a few steps but that's all I can do.  I realize that this is the slight uphill portion of this trail that feels downhill on the way in.  I should be able to run up this slight hill, but try as I might I can't.

I am frustrated at this point.  Crap..I'm less than 3 miles from the finish.  I can do anything for 3 miles, but I can't right now.  I wonder if I can ask Sean Blanton for a refund as I just signed up for the GDR the night before.  I laugh sort of to myself that THIS IS WHY I SIGNED UP FOR GDR THE NIGHT BEFORE DRT 50k, so that I wouldn't change my mind AFTER this race.  My mind wanders as I think if he will seriously give me a refund.  Then I remind myself in my thoughts that I will not be racing the GDR for a 10 hour time limit as I will have 28 hours to finish that race!  My pace will be slower for the first 34 miles as I will NOT run that race like I have run this race.  I am on pace for a 32 mile race today.  ON GDR day I'll be on pace for a 60 mile day.  There is a difference!  That sort of makes me feel a little better, but I have to solve the problem at hand.  My legs are walking as fast as they can go, but I still cannot run.

I think about Randy who ran with me at the Jewel 50 mile race,  who shared so much with me about ultra running.  And, I hear his words, "what's the problem?"  "What can you do to fix it?".  So, I answer, "I think I am out of energy".  "I think I need to eat".  So, I decide to try even though I don't want to eat and even though I don't feel  hungry, I pull out my baggie of fig newtons.  I slowly gnaw on one and then another.  They are 80 calories per fig newton.  It's not going to hurt to try.

I walk and jog a few steps now and then for 1.5 miles when I hear two guys behind me.   I am startled as I didn't even realize anyone was remotely behind me.  I glance back and realize it's two guys that I passed about 6-8 miles ago!  One of the guys is breathing so hard, and I am not breathing at all because I've been walking for over a mile!  I thought "Shit!!!!!!!  These guys are NOT going to pass me with 2 miles left in this race without me at least trying to stay ahead of them!"  LOL  If they pass me they are gonna have to run harder than me.

So, I try to run but SHIT...my legs are still shuffling.  I walk more and try again.  I continue this until I am able to start running and when my legs start to cooperate it feels awesome!  I run and run and run and shit I'm already at the road crossing!  A car is coming, but I can run across in time as I've done this so many times on my road runs.  Sadly, yes, I have run in front of cars..lol  I feel if I stop and don't try to run across this road that these guys might catch me. 

I make it across the road in time and head into the last stretch and it feels awesome knowing I am almost done with my year long goal!  Surprisingly, I passed another runner and ironically, I remember him headed back before I even made it to fish gap and he was miles ahead of me!  I run all the way in to the finish, and I feel fast and see that I am running at a 9 min/mile pace.  I feel like I could run forever as this pavement is soooo easy compared to what I have just done!

I finish the race, and I feel great!  I am tired, but I am not sore!  I am happy to be finished.  Candy takes a picture of me and it's not until I actually see the picture that I realize that I am still carrying my baggie of fig newtons!  This so funny to me because I was gnawing on my fig newtons when those guys startled me the last 2 miles of the race, and I didn't realize I ran to the finish with the baggie still in my hand! LOL

My official time is 9:26:03 I didn't make my goal as I am 31 minutes off. But, I am actually quite happy to finish within a reasonable time.  The only time I have been this far off was last year when I ran the 30k!  I also set a goal of 30 min before what I actually finished!  So, it's funny.  It's a hard race to predict with 10,406 feet of elevation gain. 

I sit down after the race and another runner brings me a coke and pizza.  She then brings me another pizza.  I rest a bit and talk to my friend Theresa who is keeping track of runners coming in.  I cheer on the remaining runners and it's so much fun to watch!  I learn that I came in 66th place.  Wow, that really sucks...LOL  But, then I realize I finished.  It's really all about the finish.  I could have turned around at the 30k point and smash my time from last year, but I didn't.  I'm proud to have completed a very difficult 50k course.  Also, I know there are not many women to have completed the 50k portion.

Within a few days, I do see the results on ultrasignup.  I am so surprised to see that out of 91 runners who completed the course that only 16 are women.  I came in 11th place among these ladies, but I am also less experienced in ultra running than these ladies who are ahead of me.  I know that I am not a strong climber and this race is basically a hike.  I am not a hiker.  I am a runner.  I am so happy still to have finished a tough 50k.

So, will I do this 50k next year?  Probably NOT!  LOL  Once is enough.  However, I would definitely run the 30k.  I say this ONLY because of the 10 hour cut off.  Bobby is an awesome RD and allows folks to finish after the cut off, but at some point he may have to crack down.  Honestly, I felt pressure all day to come in under the cut offs.  I have never had to worry about cut offs at any race before, but I knew this would be an issue for me on this particular race.  I do not like that feeling at all.  I love these trails, but it was a lot of pressure as I kept pushing and pushing myself as hard as I could go between every aid station and worrying about the cut off.  There is no way that I could have raced this any faster than I did.  It was just that HARD.

I am proud that I did my absolute best.

Duncan Ridge Trail 50k---Pre-Race Ramblings

One year. 

One year since I've attempted this Ultra trail running thing when I was so green that I nearly killed myself  on a 14 plus mile training run on the first DRT training run. (Refer to : Stupid is as stupid does...blog)

One year since I ran with Tyler on the 2nd DRT training run where we laughed for the first 11 miles and joked that we were going to change our 30k race to the50k race.

One year since mile 12 out of 15... on the same training run that Tyler and I said, "Fuck that!, we are running the 30k"!  We are over this training run and how much longer till we finish this run??

One year since I was told that I said, "I will never run another trail again..." upon my completion of the DRT 30k!

Last December, I completlely changed my training plan and decided that I was going to try and do everything I could to just finish the DRT 50k by next year. 

Last Februrary, I was still nervous if I could even finish the DRT 50k.

Last April, I signed up for the DRT 50k in hopes to finish in the 10 hour time frame allotted.

A few weeks ago, I set a time goal of 8:55 hours.

Three days before the race: I am shaking in my boots that I can make it under 10 hours.  I am determined to finish no matter what it takes.  This race will be my hardest in terms of climb.  Climbing is my weakness and this race is just over 10,000 feet of eleveation gain over 32 miles.  I know I said this was a 50k, but trust me it's really 32 miles.  Yes, that one extra mile really counts..lol

I'm determined to scratch, claw, walk and hopefully run my way through to the finish no matter what it takes.  I am prepared to kindly tell the sweeper to back the fuck off if I happen to see him and/or her...LOL  I will not be denied a finish on this race.  I'm prepared for a very long day of running, and I know how hard this is going to be, but I'm also imagining what it's going to feel like when I finish.  And, I'm not sure yet, that I can fully grasp what it's going to feel like when I do. 

And, I already know that this race will be a decision maker or breaker on whether I sign up for The Georgia Death Race in March, 2013.  I've been thinking about this race since I first heard of it last Spring when it was "in the works".   I am really excited about the idea of this race but with 16,000 feet of elevation gain, 60 plus miles, and the last being 26 miles of forrest service road as well as unpredictable March weather.  It's a lot to consider.  I never want to sign up for a race that I can't complete. The one factor that makes me most excited about this race is the fact that it connects Vogel State Park and Amicalola Park.  I mostly run these trails as they are close to home.  It would be awesome to connect the two in a single race.  But, is this enough motivation for me to justify running it?  I will make a decision by the end of Novemember as this race is filling fast! 

But, until then, I'm focused on DRT 50k. 

Mystery Mountain Marathon- October 14, 2012

 

 

 

This is my 4th race that I signed up for that is at least marathon distance or longer in the last 3 months.  I initially worried that I had signed up for too many races in a short span of time but have found that I am doing great with these distances and my recovery time is faster.  In fact, I am loving it!

I really wanted to run this particular race last year, but I really wasn't in enough running shape to run it.  I'm glad I waited to run it this year because I am REALLY ready.  My initial goal for this race was to use it as a training run for DRT 50k since that is the race I am aiming to finish within the time frame allotted. 

I so blindly signed up for this race not knowing the first thing about it.  It's not till about a week before the race that I hear the race buzz about how hard this race is.  What???  I didn't know this was going to be a hard race. Normally, I only want to sign up if it's tough, but I just didn't think this one was going to be for whatever reason..lol  I see race elevation profiles on FB that just freak me out because I know there is an 8 hour cut off for this race.  I didn't see it as a problem, but now I am worried.  Then I realize I ran H9 in 6:51 hours.  I ran the first 25 miles of The Jewel 50 mile in 6:25 hours.  So, I just settle in knowing this is going to be hard and hope for 6:30 hours based on my previous times and knowing that I am getting stronger on these runs.  Then two days before the race, I realize my next race DRT 50k isn't for 5 weeks yet.  So, I ditch my training race plan and decide to really race this one...lol  It's so on.

Lee and I drive early to the race site with the kids.  It's breezy and cool but humid feeling.  I like this weather.  There are a ton of people at this race.  My largest longest race yet!  WOOHOO!  I love the energy of a bigger race.  So fun!  And, talking with a few people that I actually know is awesome.

Now, I can tell you in great boring detail how beautiful this race is.  And, I can tell you about running around the lake and up and around the mountain trails, the scenic views and even waterfalls.  It felt like the first 11 miles were just all up hill.  I enjoyed my flight down the ton of steps and thankful that I have spent 4 years running up and down flights of stairs at work everyday.  I actually passed some runners going down the steps..lol  

What I really want to write about is finding that competitive spirit that I buried over a year ago when I was terribly humbled at the DRT first training run.  When I decided to pursue trail and ultra running, I knew I was no good and not good enough, but alas I am stubborn and persistent.  It took me months to completely change the way I think about running and get over my slow trail times in comparison to my road times. 

Somewhere in mile 11 or 12, I descend down this steep mother of  a hill that never ends.  After awhile, my quads feel like they are nearly trashed in a way they haven't felt in a very long time.  I think back to my run with Kia 3 miles up Brasstown Bald road and 3 miles down and we repeat.  I am so thankful for that training day even though people thought this was useless and WTF was I doing that for?  LOL I knew that the constant downhill training was good for me and probably not what most people practice.  When I finish that never ending downhill, I feel a strain in my left hip flexor.  Well, crap...I got 14 more miles so not much I can really do about it.  It hurts for the next 1.5 hours and then either it goes away, or I have completely dismissed it.

Once I am off the downhill, there is a stretch of running that I like.  I just run and run.  I only stop at aid stations if I really need something and when I stop, I make it very short.  Maybe one to two minutes max.  Along about mile 14, I start passing a few folks...and as I make my way forward I keep passing people who are often times walking.  My mind drifts back to my high school days and my road race days where I mentally visualize myself passing people when I see them ahead of me.  So, whenever I see someone I just try to pick it up.  I do not know how long I can maintain my pace, but figure I should just try for as long as I can hold out.

I get to mile 20ish and there is Conti's Climb that Franco told me about on a training run the week prior.  This is no joke..lol  It's hard, and amazingly enough, I pass two people on this climb.  I was so glad to be done with this one.  I run further and hit another climb and I say probably too loud "FUCK"!  LOL  But, who cares in the woods, anyways?

I get to the last 4-5 miles and I'm determined to run this as hard as I can.  After all, I only have 4 to 5 miles left.  I can do that in my sleep.  I am still passing people in my final stretches toward the finish line.  I glance at my watch and notice that my time is 5:53 hours...but I am thinking I am too far away to get under 6 hours.  I already know from last years times that a 6 hour finish would be awesome especially for me.  I run around the lake and the finish is so close! 

I finish at 6:00:13 hours.  My family is there waiting and Mitchell runs along side of me.  I ran so hard that I am tired.  I was so glad to be done with this race.  I ran so hard the entire time.  I ran my PR for a trail marathon.  I far exceeded my expectations.  I only ran this hard because it was such a big race.  I found a mental motivation that I haven't had in a long time...mainly competition.  It was fun!  I was the 11th female finisher.  I thought that was pretty good, but I am just even happier to have run the crap out of this race.

DRT 50k, Next!

The Georgia Jewel 50 miles--September 22, 2012

This is the first of two races that I have been training for up until this point.  It's funny how things can change in just 4 short months.  I went from doubting myself when I signed up for this race wondering if I could actually be capable of running 50 miles in just 4 months to feeling pretty confident that I will finish this race.  Not a cockiness by no means, but just a confidence that I would get it done.  I was just determined to train hard for it no matter what.  I really wanted to try a 50 mile trail race at least once! 

Two days before the race, I do not sleep good.  My excitement for this race suddenly turns to fear and anxiety after I get around to reading the course description.  Yes, I sign up for a race that I know is going to be tough nearly 5 months in advance, and yes, I wait till 2 nights before the race to actually read the course description.  Historically, I run better going in blind.  It's better if I do not know all the details.  But, my fear is not the mileage or how long it's going to actually take me to run 50 mountain trail miles.  My fear is that I will get lost, run off course, or miss a part of the course.  I have done that on 2 races this year, and quite frankly, it makes me mad.  I really really want this to be my race and don't want to screw it up.  I want to know where I stand.  I print out the course description and the graph of the aid stations and pack it in my camelbak.  I freak out for a little while and then just get calm about it.  I know what to do and finally I decide to not allow my fears to become a reality, so I just chill about it. 

Lee and I drive to Dalton the night before the race, and I get in the bed, but I cannot sleep because I am excited and nervous.  I finally fall asleep around 11pm or so only to be awakened by other hotel guests at 3am.  They are moving stuff out of their room and talking so loud.  I think what the heck?  Don't they know it's 3am and people are sleeping?  Now, I am wide awake and since I can't sleep I try to listen to their conversation.  LOL  I really can't hear them, but wonder if they are 100 milers getting ready to run by 4am.  They finally leave after 3:30am.  I try to doze off but at 4:30am, I just decide to get up before the alarm goes off at 5:45am and let Lee sleep a little longer.

I get to my phone and realize it's not operating!  Lee tries desperately to fix it as it won't sync to his Itunes after I tried uploading the new IOS update.  UGHH!  I do not run without my phone.  I can't text Lee with updates of where I am at, and there goes my camera!  I am so bummed, but I can't think about it now.  I've got 50 miles to run, but first I have to get to the race.

Lee drops me off at the check in to park the car.  I get checked in and my race number and walk my bag to  my car, and Lee has made me a peanut butter bagel.  I'm thankful to Margaret who gave me this pointer of buying breakfast the night before because there is no place to get breakfast this early in the morning!  I would have never thought to do that as I take it for granted that someplace would be open.  My milk and peanut butter wheat bagel is so tasty.

Lee and I walk back to the start of the race, and I talk with a few runners that I have known from other races and of course, Brad and Candy are there.  It's always good to see them.  Brad has been at every ultra race that I have signed up for thus far.  I haven't run many ultras, but it's just nice to be at a point where I actually know some folks or at least know of them through facebook.  Before I know it, I am listening to race instructions on where to go.  It's pretty dark, but I have a great headlamp, so I'm not worried about it as my plan is to follow the crowd till we head into the woods. 

The race starts at 5:58am according to my Garmin, and I wave a final goodbye to Lee.  I am guessing there are probably close to a 100 runners between the 35 mile and 50 mile race.  We head out of the parking lot onto the road.  And, Lee emerges from the woods and takes my hand as I run.  I tell him, I will see him later, and Candy tells Lee, "She's got this, Lee!" The road soon turns into a steady steep uphill which reminds me of the tennis court hill at Yahoola, so I got this.  Candy says she is going to walk up the hill, but I just keep running up.  I figure it's a good warmup for me but several people are walking also as they don't want to "burn out their legs".  It's interesting to listen to, but I know to listen to myself.  I learned this from my Ranger Run 15k!  LOL  I also run a lot of long paved hills, so in reality, I am not at all bothered by this hill. 

We make a left into the woods, and boy, is it dark!  A girl lets me in front of her because I have the better headlamp according to her.  I just laugh, and tell her that maybe true but she may be faster than me.  She doesn't want to pass me because she wants to be able to see.  Another female runner also comments on my headlamp stating that I have the best headlamp out here!  It's so funny to me that my $7.95 headlamp shipped free from China is causing people to follow me on a trail to nowhere!  LOL  I can't wait to tell Lee about this. 

It's not long before the trail gets rocky.  This is the section of trail that I have heard the most about and my priority over this trail is to be careful in the dark while moving as quickly as I can.  It's not too much of a concern though now that I am actually here because I am in a crowd running single file.  It takes a good 5 miles before it thins out, but I've been able to keep a fairly steady pace but once it thins out, I am able to run at my pace. 

 

I run with various runners along the way and actually have some great running conversations while I am trying to find my forever pace.  I am running really well, not too fast, but at a steady pace that I feel like I can run at for a very long way.  There are some climbs but nothing too crazy, and I actually scramble up them pretty quickly.  Basically, I am having a good run.  Before I know it, I am at the 9 mile mark.  I am 1/5th of the way done! 

I get to the 17 mile aid station in about 4 hours.  I'm really surprised with my time.  I use the porta potty here, take some Tylenol, get some aid station food, and re-fill my water pack.  I spend probably too much time here, but I know the next water station is around mile 21 and then the next food station is mile 25. 

I head in the direction where I saw other runners going to.  I came up on another runner and we walk together in that direction.  We don't see any markers so we back track a tad and then  I see them across the street.  So, now we are back on the trail, and I am so happy with myself that I easily corrected myself.  It's also the only time I got slightly off course.  This is GREAT!  I am really quite pleased with how well marked this course is.

It's not long when this trail gets tough.  The climbs are hard, but I try to run as much as I can and hike the ups.  It's just this guy and I and he tells me this is his first ultra!  I am floored as he picked a hard 50 miles to do today!  Not only that, he's from an area that is completely flat!  He has trained for this by doing squats and weights and running flat!  He hasn't run technical trails.  I'm not sure if I am super impressed that he took on such a challenge or feel sorry for him because this race is getting harder all of a sudden.  I offer to let him pass me but he says no.  Finally, on a climb he tells me to go ahead as he stops and stretches.  I never saw him again.

In the next few miles, I am on a ridge,  running and it's on a slight downhill.  I love ridge running!  I am still feeling good, except nature is calling, and I really really need to go to the bathroom.  I am in a section of trail where it's completely open and I'm starting to worry that the 50 milers will be passing soon on their way back, and I really need to use the bathroom soon.  I am worried that the guy I passed a few miles ago is going to run up on me.  Finally, my stomach cramps so bad that I actually stop to double over and hold my abdomen.  I run again but wonder if I can make it to the bathroom that's coming up in the next few miles.  Finally, I decide that I cannot.  So, I climb up a hill and squat right by a log.  Anyone passing will likely see me up on the hill, but at least I'll see them first!  LOL  I take off my pack and pull out the toilet paper that I am sure to pack for every run but have never had to use up to this point.  I squat and use the bathroom as quickly as I can and run back the hill.  I feel so much better!  I should have done this sooner!  My first poo in the woods!

I come up on the 21 mile water station, and I fill my back pack with just enough water to get me through to the 25 mile station.  I do not want to carry too much water at a time.  It's not long before 2 runners pass me, and I recognize one of the guys as the volunteer who was at Merrill's Mile for about 30 hours.  I had heard at MM that he was successful running a 100 mile race on his 5th attempt.  That's perseverance!  These are the last 2 folks to pass me for the rest of the race.

I run past a little pond and it's in open sun.  It's really hot coming out of the shaded woods into open sun.  Fortunately, I am not out here long, and I have to cross the street to go down a service road.  It's not long before I see the first 50 mile lady on her return trip!  I cheer her on and keep moving.  Then I see John M. whom I met at MM and I encourage him as he's making some good time.  The service road turns back onto a trail.

Oh Mama...this is pretty much all uphill and climbs as I make my way toward the 25 mile aid station.  Then I hear two men talking behind me as we are climbing up.  The first thing I notice is their accents as it's very southern but not the Georgia southern that I am familiar with.  I ask these men where they are from and sure enough they are from Mississippi.  I do not ever recall meeting someone from Mississippi before.

Randy and Charles are training partners and have drove up the day before with 3 female friends who are all running the 35 mile race.  These guys along with many other 50 milers out here today are using this race as a training run for Pinhoti 100 miler.  Unfortunately, something is wrong with Charles' calf muscle and he is really struggling and pretty upset about it because he is in so much pain.  I ask these fellas if they want to pass me but they decline and say they are just fine.  As we climb higher and higher, the views are just incredible from John's Mountain.

I am getting pretty hungry at this point, but I want to hold out to eat something at the 25 mile station as I imagine that there must be really good food at the half way turn around point.  I have visions of sub sandwiches and cheeseburgers dancing in my head!  LOL  I'm really wanting something cold to drink.  I mean ice cold.  I see many returning runners as I get closer and closer to the 25 mile aid station.  One female runner says, "you're almost there and it's a great aid station"!  I know she must be confirming my thoughts of all the wonderful food that must be awaiting ME!  I even share this info with Randy and Charles as we continue to climb.

Finally, after the last brutal climb we are greeted at the top by volunteers Mitchell P. and Brandon Y.  Oh my, people I know and what a treat to see them at the top of this beautiful place with a view.  I am saddened and disappointed that Jessica isn't there as she went to fetch more water as they were running out.  Brandon kindly takes my camelbak and fills it up completely for me!  Mitchell is kind enough to let me borrow is phone to text Lee.  I tell him that I made it 6:25 hours and going to get a bite to eat and head back and feel free to update FB if he wants.   I am mildly disappointed that there is not any major food that I built myself up for...argghhh.  Instead it's the usual race fare.  However, I am surprised when Mitchell offers me a Red Bull!  OH HELL YEAH...something ice cold and good and I guzzle it down.  I wait here longer than I should to see if Jessica returns, but it's not long before I realize I must start heading back.  The Mississippi guys have already started back.  But, OH,  my it's beautiful up here!

I run down the hills and come upon Charles who I can see is visibly struggling.  I feel so badly for him because I know there is no way he can make it back.  Not only that, he should not.  I ask him if he's ok, and he says he is in so much pain with his calf that he couldn't even swim with it if he tried.  I know this is not good.  I run ahead and catch up to Randy who is waiting on his friend and training partner.  I kindly tell Randy that his friend is in a lot of pain.  I suggest that maybe Charles should stop because he still has time to recover and heal in time for Pinhoti.  Randy feels so bad for Charles because this has never happened to his friend before.  He also agrees that no way can Charles finish the race in his current state.  Randy tells me to run on.  As he says this, I start running after my brief chat, and I tell Randy, "I'm sure you'll catch up again."

It's not too long before Randy catches up to me and says that he talked with Charles and that he agreed that he has to turn back at the 25 mile aid station.  We both have a brief chuckle that poor Charles has to turn around and go back up that climb to get to the 25 mile station!  Randy says he should have stayed there.  Poor guy!

Randy and I chit chat along the way, and I tell him he is free to pass anytime, and he explains that he and Charles goal was to get the time on their feet.  He is not concerned with time as this is a training run for him for Pinhoti. He has completed Pinhoti 2 or 3 times already and really didn't want to do the race but his friend wanted to.  He said he only signed up because Charles wanted him to!  LOL  As it turns out, this is Randy's 114th race.  He has been running ultras since 1999!  I am super impressed.

Randy also tells me that I am more than welcome to run on if I want to go faster.  I tell him this is my fast and my "forever pace".  I tell him that I won't be moving any faster than this at this point...LOL  So, we just settle into some nice conversation off and on.  We take turns pacing.  I am following Randy and he is walking really fast.  I am in a slow a jog just to keep up even on the uphills.  LOL  I tell him that I have never seen a human walk so fast!  He tells me he can walk a 13 min mile.  Shoot, I know people who run a 13 minute mile! 

Randy and I talk so much about our races, running, race strategy and our families.  He is such a wealth of information.  I am learning so much, and I'm literally hanging off of his every word.  He also shares his weaknesses on long races primarily if he gets over heated or his stomach.  So far, my weaknesses are different only because I am so new.  He is such a good kind person.  I think several times how lucky I am to have run into him and his friend earlier in this race.  We never agree to run together the entire race, but neither of us run ahead either.  He asks me, "do you know what we are doing, we are doing RFP, you know what that means?"  And, I reply, "no".  He says, "it's Relentless Forward Progress".  I do not know why, but this strikes a chord in me, and I hang onto it for the remainder of the race.  I repeat it often on the journey back and Randy does too.  RFP, Relentless Forward Progress...it means so much and everything at the same time.

We have been running alone for miles.  We come up and pass a runner and ask if he is ok as he is just walking, and he says he is ok.  I ask Randy if he thinks we will see other runners.  He says, we will likely see one or two more people on the way back.  We run into Brad and Candy on the side of the trail as Brad isn't feeling well at all.  I feel so bad for him!  I give them both a gel, and we offer to help if we can, but we are just 2.5 miles away from the 34 mile Snake Creek Gap aid station and Candy says Brad can walk that back.  So, Randy and I move forward.  They quickly catch up to us at the 34 mile station where unfortunately Brad DNF's. 

Randy and I quickly re-fuel at the aid station, and I have my ham roll up on pita bread and tell Randy that I am ready to go when he is as I am going to walk or run while I eat this.  We move on.  We are not running long when I jump over a huge black snake, and I yell "Snake!" to give Randy a warning!  I say, "I think that's a good snake maybe a black King snake".  But, I am not hanging around to check it out.  I don't hear Randy so I stop and turn around and just like a typical man he is trying to move it off the trail.  He says, "it's about 5 feet long!".  I tell him I am not hanging around to find out!  LOL  We are running for a few miles now and Candy passes us without Brad but really she was already ahead of us minus her pit stops with Brad.  She is making good progress, and we wish her a good run.

We get to the 40 mile aid station and there is coconut milk!  I eat a bit and Randy is ready to move on quickly.  We get our eats and go.  As I'm leaving I see Joe who I ran with at H9 sitting in a chair.  He is a really good runner, but he's not looking so hot.  His friend Tommy and pacer for this race is there with him.  I figure he is resting a bit and will be on his way.  But, I later see in the ultrasignup results he didn't make it in.  I am saddened to see that he was not able to finish.

Randy stops on a few occasions and squats to stretch and when he does I follow suit.  I found this helps my left hip/thigh pain so much, but I know my knee will pay for it later...but right now it feels good and relieves the pressure.  This pain is chronic but another lesson I learn from Randy.  I am grateful for this stretch that I never do.  Who knew a simple squat would relieve it?  Randy gets a calf cramp and has to stop to walk.  He tells me to go ahead.  I am quick to tell him that we have less than 10 miles and have run together for hours and no way will I run ahead of him now.  He just laughs and thankfully his cramp is short lived.

At some point, I get lightheaded and I tell Randy.  He asks me if I know what's causing it.  I tell him I think it's my blood sugar as it drops occasionally.  I pull a snack out and eat.  I feel better in the next 15 minutes and then I am trying to remember to snack more frequently to stay ahead of it.  I realize I have eaten very little considering how hard I am working.  RFP.

Randy is full of positive encouragement and reinforcement of what we are accomplishing.  He is simply an amazing person and runner.  I tell him that I feel like I have a pacer.  He says, "no, I feel like I have a pacer".  He makes me feel like I am helping him as much as he is helping me.  That's just not possible. 

Randy and I pass 9 runners in all on the way back who are all having GI upset or just simply more tired than we are.  Randy and I are both surprised.  As we are running, we decide to count how many people we pass just for something to do.  He also has math equations and math strategies for finishing a race.  I just have to laugh as I am the same way, and naively thought that I am the only person who does this crap.  However, he has a math equation that he tells me a few times throughout the race and finally he asks me to figure out his equation and I tell him that I do not understand his math in this instance...LOL  We both just laugh.

We are both happy to be at the 45 mile water station.  There is only one aid station left and that is at the finish.  I tell Randy that I am going to be so happy to finish that 50 mile finish line.  He is too as his poor friends have been waiting hours on him.  They are driving back to Mississippi tonight for 6 hours!!  We make our way through the never ending beautiful rock garden.  I am so happy happy happy to KNOW that I am going to finish this race in daylight.  I worried this morning that I would finish in the dark.  I did not want to cross these rocks again in the dark.  Randy told me many hours ago that I would not finish in the dark! 

We are starting our 2 mile downhill to the finish.  We are both so happy.  Randy naturally runs ahead.  I find that my downhill speed is what I knew it would be when I started up this hill over 13 hours ago, it's slow.  I never thought I'd finish a downhill race at around a 11-12 min/mile, but I'm proud of it as I am in my final miles, and I am running as fast as I can at this point.  Randy stops to walk till I am able to catch up.  I do not expect him to wait on me, but he does.  We enter the parking lot, and we cross the finish line together. 

Don Gibson the co-race director asks me what I thought of the course as soon as I cross the finish line at 13:44 hours.  I tell him, "It was an amazing course, beautiful, and the best race I ever ran!".  I loved this course.  I was never lost.  I can't even be upset that I wanted real food and it was the usual race fare.  I am thankful to Randy for all of his positive encouragement and once again learn so much about myself and will never ever forget the things I learned from Randy.  I'm still amazed at his kindness.

Candy is taking pictures of Randy and I.  Candy hands me a beer and oh my it's cold!  I borrow Candy's phone to text Lee, and he arrives shortly.  He is so upset to have missed my finish but really it's ok.   I am so very happy to see him now.  He is so proud of me, and it makes my heart swell to know he is so happy for me.

And, for the first time ever, I feel like I am no longer running away... but rather towards something..what it is I do not know, but what I do know is that I don't have to know. I am again so thankful for this journey that I am on.

Merrill's Mile 24 hour Race- Sept. 1, 2012



 

 

One Mile Loop Course

I have been curioius about 24 hour races ever since I completed 12 hours of Hostelity Race.  In a way, I had kinda sorta wished that I could have stayed for 24 hours at that race.  So, when I was able to find a nurse friend who was willing to volunteer 24 hours at Merrill's Mile well then, I also had to stay 24 hours to run.  I couldn't very well ask my friend to volunteer that long and me go home after 12 hours!  So, I registered for this race on the 2nd day the race was available for registration back in April.  I didn't know how to run a 24 hour race, but I was determined to do it.  After all, "Poor Decisions Make for Better Stories" according to the DUMASS (Dahlonega Ultra Marathon Association) theme. 

 

I have been training all summer primarily for The Jewel 50 mile in the upcoming weeks and for DRT 50k in Nov.  These are the two races that I have feared the most out of the 5 races I'm signed up to run this fall.  This 24 hour race is simply a training run for me, and I set a 50 mile goal for myself and then plan to reevaluate from the 50 mile point.  I am nervous about running more than this mileage for fear of a long recovery period 3 weeks prior to the Jewel.  However, my other goal for this race is to remain standing for the full 24 hours outside of brief breaks and a short nap which I am expecting that I am going to have to take at some point during the race.  So, I'm pretty confident that I can run the 50 miles and will likely get between 60 to 70 miles in the 24 hours.  However, I am not putting any kind of pressure on myself to do this.  Because unlike Hostelity, I plan to have FUN at this race!  I had fun at Hostelity, but I was very focused the entire time.  This race, I want to enjoy it more as I get the miles.

 

I arrive at the race with a folding chair, sleeping bad, and a waterproof duffel bag with enough running clothes to last several days and a change of shoes.  I was very overpacked!  I only changed once while I was there and never changed shoes.  I also packed a few tolietries that I never used except for the sunblock that I reapplied once.

 

This course is a one mile crushed gravel flat loop.  It's also a very long loop.  But, it's cool though because there is a fully stocked aid station at the start/finish line and then a water station at the other end of the course.

 

 

The race starts and the runners are off and runnning; however, no one is in a rush because everyone is there for either 12 or 24 hours.  It's not a fight to the finish by no means.   I decide that I am not going to run fast the entire time before I even arrive at the race.  My goal is to last as long as I can, and I know I cannot do that running too fast.  Also, I got a nasty cold earlier in the week and when I woke up on race day I felt weak and my sinuses hurt.  I simply, did not feel good.  Along about mile 4, I heard a runner say in passing that it's time to walk more to himself than to anyone else.  I'm not really sure when I should take walk breaks and when I should run.  But, I decide to walk for awhile.  The morning is progressively warming up, and I later decide to run more until it gets too hot then that would be the time to slow down and walk.

 

I run alone at times and with various friends throughout the race.  This loop course is fun because you can catch laps with other folks and talk along the way.  It's fun running with friends who know me well and then at other times with people I don't know at all.  It's always interesting to hear other people's stories.

 

My friend Donna and nursing professor from college,  who has long since retired is at this race.  I am so inspired by her because she has run in nearly 20 marathons.  When she saw that I signed up for this race in April, she did not hesitate to also sign up for this race.  She told me, "We are nurses, we can stay standing for 24 hours!".  My thought exactly, Donna!  However, Donna had to have a total hip replacement in July.  She is recovering and healing well, but won't be able to run this race as she had planned.  This doesn't stop her though.  She sets a goal to walk 10 miles with breaks when she needs them.  I am in such awe because I think most people in her predictament would have bagged the race and why not, she'd have the perfect excuse!  I wave and cheer her on everytime I pass her and she always greeted me with a smile and was so happy to be there.  On one of her breaks, she even got involved in the aid station to help out and handed me a grilled cheese and a drink!  I hope one day, when I grow up that I have that kind of determination to keep going!

 

I'm particularly excited for the Rusk family as it's Alan and Gayle running their first 12 hour event and their son Tyler running in his first 24 hour event.  They all have goals in terms of mileage, and I am excited to see them achieve their goals as much as I hope to achieve mine.

 

I am enjoying the loop course because we can wave, yell, and just be silly to our friends across the course when we are all at various points along the loop.  It's fun watching everyone and really just takes my mind off the heat at times.  The volunteers at the aid stations are awesome too, and one of them hands me a water bottle which I refill with ice several times and carry.  The cold bottle is helping me to stay cool even if it's just my hands.  However, these water bottles also come in handy as water gun weapons as Brad and I surprise each other squirting ice cold water on each other.  It's funny that we are actually running away from the water when it actually feels good!  It's hot out here!

 

It seems like no time has passed and Gayle has reached her goal of 27 miles and she has several hours left to go!  I am so excited because after a break she keeps going.  I know she can get a lot more miles in if she wants to.  I am particularly excited for her because like me at Hostelity, I had never run a marathon before and then I surpassed the marathon and went on to run an ultra.  I know she is going to do the same today.  I remember how awesome that felt when I did it also just 8 months prior.

 

Somewhere between miles 36-38, I get really really hot and tired.  I take a brief break out of the heat and walk with Alan and Gayle.  I tell them how hot I am.  Alan says on the next lap let's all go to the river and cool off.  I had seen people go back there off and on all day, but I didn't want to veer off course yet until I had to.  We get to the river and I soak my head in the cold water.  That felt so good just to wash all the sweaty hot grime off my face and hair and to wash my hands.  Gayle puts her knees and feet in the water.  I so want to do that too, but I fear getting my feet wet because I know I have all night to go.  This water break was exactly what I needed and it really was a re-start to my race again.  I feel soo much better!  Even my sinuses and head no longer hurt as I think I blew all the yucky snot out of my sinuses in the cooler morning hours.

 

This is a pic of Margaret and I catching a lap together along the loop.  I have had the priveledge of tagging along a few training runs with her at Amicalola Falls and my 3rd time running the same race as her.  She is a phenomenal runner whom I can never tire of her stories.  In this pic, she is telling me to look up, but I obviously didn't do it in time!  Margaret was flying around this loop course and made it look so effortless!

 

 

 

Lee and our children arrive with Mitchell's new pet hamspter that they picked up that day.  Lee is carrying her around in a shoe box.  It's funny because some folks thought he was bringing me a new pair of shoes!  Actually, they just didn't want to leave Oreo in a hot car.  They came out and walked a full lap with me before heading out.  It was so good to see them, and at the same time, I am wanting to go home with them.

 

Before I know it, the 12 hour race is over.  Gayle has reached 40 miles and doubled her longest run ever!  I know she has to be thrilled.  Alan comes in at 39 miles.  YAY!  I am really really excited for them because they really toughed it out for 12 hours in the gruelling heat and racked up a lot of miles. 

 

At the 12 mile mark, I hit 43 miles.  When I see the 12 hour day runners leaving and the new night 12 hour folks coming in, I have mixed emotions.  On the one hand, I felt like I took my time a lot during the day so that I could last all 24 hours and not be too drained from the day's heat.  I really wished I could have gone all out during the 12 hours and be finished now!  On the other hand, I'm hoping these night folks will breathe new energy into this race.  And, I am glad to finally have some real food at 9pm....PIZZA!  I am hungry.  I have eaten the usual race fare but for about 4 hours,  I want something real!  But, I cannot text or call anyone to tell them that as there is no phone service!  LOL

 

It doesn't take long before it's dark and we are pulling out our headlamps.  Note the picture below where you see the lights there is a runner below the light! 

 

It's not long into the night race that I realize this is a different race.  There are far less people as numerous runners have left the 24 hour race for various reasons and the larger 12 hour day group folks have left.  I don't really know any of the 12 hour night folks.  It's much cooler now and it's easier to run, but with a full stomach and 5 more miles, I realize for the first time all day that I am exhausted.  I am at mile 48, and I notice that I am weaving down the road on my feet!  LOL  I am laughing to myself, as I realize I need sleep!  I also realize that my stomach is bloated and is hurting a little bit from gas. 

I am determined to reach my 50 miles no matter what.  I am afraid that if I lay down now that I won't get back up.  My feet really hurt.  Nothing else really bothers me, as I've stopped at the Masssage clinic for the 2nd time already to work out the issues in my left leg and foot which are chronic.  It helped so much!  I get through the next 2 miles almost half asleep and then I go to the tent, set up my sleeping bag, and take off my garmin and plug into my external charger.  I want to capture every mile that I earn!  LOL

I lay down in the tent and note the time to be around 11:45pm.  It feels like heaven.  I stretch out in the sleeping bag, and I think I maybe asleep in less than 5 minutes.  My last thought before I fell asleep was that it's ok if I don't wake up till the morning.  I have run my 50 miles and met my goal. I sleep so hard that when I wake up, I am wide awake.  I am clueless as to what time it is and I lay there for what I estimate to be about 10 minutes.  I am debating on whether I should get out and run because I am snug as a bug in a rug and for the first time it feels cold out there!  I am really a cold natured person.  I then start to check to see if I can move.  My legs and feet feel ok for having just run 50 miles all day.  So, I'm thinking oh guess I should go get my gravy miles.  I don't have long to think as I hear Tyler outside of the tent rustling around and I'm not sure if I call out "Tyler" or he calls out "Angela" but either way I am awake.  He wants his phone that's in the tent.  I hand it to him and ask if he needs to get in to nap as I am getting out.  I am hungry again too!  I get out and find my rain jacket to put on as it's warm. 

Tyler and I go to the food tent and grab something to eat.  I can't believe how good I feel from that nap and I'm surprised to learn that it's 1:45am and I've slept nearly 2 hours.  I feel like I slept all night!  Tyler says he is at mile 62 or 63 and wants to get to mile 65 before he lays down.  We start walking and I look at Tyler and he is stooped over and walking funny.  I don't know why but this strikes me as the funniest thing I ever saw.  But, also I am thinking how ridiculous this is to have signed up for a 24 hour race.  Afterall, I could be home, showered, and snuggled up in my warm bed next to my heater called Lee.  But, instead, I am out here cold, hungry, and walking at 2am.  I get a serious case of the sillies and all I can do is laugh.  I am not laughing at poor Tyler who looks like the most exhausted person I have ever seen, but anything and everything is just striking me as funny at this point.  Tyler and I finish out the lap, and he says he is going to nap.  I ask him if he is sure because he said he wanted to get to mile 65 first, and I tell him I'll walk with him if he wants to get to the 65 miles, but he declines, and I don't try to push because he looks sooo tired!  

I am ready to run again after having eaten and slept. What else have I got to do at this point? I can't exactly go home.  So, I start running again.  I run as long as I can until I have to stop.  My stomach is really hurting, and I look 4 months pregnant.  My belly is hard as a rock.  I cannot even make myself pass gas.  I haven't passed gas all day.  I think about the water bottle I sucked on all day and feel quite sure that my belly is full of gas.  It's a miserable feeling.  Then I start to feel queasy and lightheaded.  So, I walk to the aid station, and I know I need something, but I don't know what it would be.  Nothing looks good.  The volunteers happily ask me "What do you need?".  I tell them, "I do not know, tell me what I need".  Someone hands me a cup of noodles.  I take it and walk with it.  These are the best noodles on the planet.  I walk around again, and this time I ask for noodles.  I eat these noodles and throw away the cup half way down and start running back around again.

Basically, the rest of the night I am in a cycle of constant stomach pain.  My feet hurt too bad to walk on them, so I run.  But, when I run too long I get queasy and lightheaded and have to walk.  So, again I walk to the aid station and get more noodles.  When my lightheaded feeling passes, I run again and it really hurts for the first quarter mile and then it feels better as the pressure is lifted off of my feet and it feels good to run.  But, then I have this same pattern and realize I am in a peat and repeat mode.  Stomach pain, run, lightheaded, eat, and walk then repeat.  But, I am above all determined to see daylight standing on my feet and hopefully moving.

During this process, Dave shows up to support Tyler and helps him throughout the rest of his race.  I loop around and see them at the aid station, and I ask the massage volunteer to work on my left hip, thigh, and foot.  Then I start walking with Dave and Tyler.  Tyler looks a little more rested but he is still walking funny.  I walk about a half lap with them and the pain in my feet is too much, and I need to run again, so I think I apologize and tell them I gotta run because my feet hurt too bad to walk.  I run for awhile and loop around in time to use the porta potty.  I feel relief in sight of my abdominal pain!!!  I go to the porta potty and release the demons!  I am audibly moaning in the porta potty my sweet relief !  I don't care who hears me.  I feel so much better that I come out of the potty smiling, and dammit I am ready to run!  I run past Dave and Tyler and tell them in passing, "I just had the best shit of my life!"  I think only runners can truly appreciate this sentiment!

The rest of the morning is a blur as I push and struggle past my feet pain.  By 8am, I am told that I am grouchy, and I'm not laughing anymore.  I am ready to get this shit done in my 67th mile.  Actually, I am told that I said, "I am ready to get this fucking shit done!"  I already decided that at mile 65 that I would go to 70 miles, as I know I have 5 more miles in me.  I also know that if I tell myself a number, I will die trying to get there.  Seventy miles just sounded like a nice round even number.  Afterall, 70 just sounds better than 71 or 72 at least in my mind. 

I am in my 69th mile and as I'm making my way up I think I see Lee, Mitchell and Megan.  I think I want to cry, but I can't even if I tried.  I am so happy to see them and just want them to walk my last mile with me.  I can't believe how bad my bloody stumps are feeling.  I reach them and they start to walk with me, but then all of a sudden it begins to pour the rain.  The sky opens up and it pours!  So, I tell Lee and the kids to just wait under the canopy and let me finish one lap to get to 70 miles.  I run so hard in the rain or as hard as a person can run in her 70th mile...lol  The rain makes me mad.  Where was this rain yesterday when it was so hot?  Why Why Why does it have to rain in my last mile?  Normally, I love to run in a warm rain but not in my last mile of a 24 hour race!  Oh, and yet another reminder to becareful for what I wish for! 

Nevertheless, my last mile was over and as I approach the check in, Willy says I have about 20 minutes left.  I say, "No, I am done!" LOL  I am happy going home with my 70 miles. 

To this day, I still can't believe that I actually ran 70 miles.  I just felt like I was going round in round.  I am very happy to have had the experience of running a 24 hour race because I was so curious about it.  I'm not sure that I really gained anything after 46 miles except time on my feet that will likely come in handy in my upcoming races.  I figured out that 24 hour races are really more meant for people training for 100 mile races or very long endurance runs.  I really have no desire at this point to run a 100 mile race.  Would I run a 24 hour race again?  Yes, under the right circumstances, but I really missed going all out on a 12 hour race.  I do not like the feeling of holding back.  I kept holding back to last the full 24 hours.  In a sense, I went all out for the 24 hour race, but missed the feeling of going out fast as I can.  And, at the same time, it's just a different race with a different mindset.  It's a test of endurance, and I think I passed because I lasted.

I signed up for different types of races this year 50k, marathon, 24 hour race, 12 hour race, 50 mile race as I am trying to find my niche in running.  I know it's trails but not sure where my place is just yet in the ultra distance world.  I really enjoy the marathon and 50k because the recovery is short, and I can run faster.  I still enjoy trying to be fast on my shorter runs.  I still enjoy chasing pavement, but I love trails more.  I haven't really figured it all out yet, so I'm just enjoying it while it lasts.  It's ok if I don't have it figured out yet because the one thing I do know is that I can do anything I put my mind to, and so far, I have. 

And, that is ALL that I really need to know.


**Pictures are taken from facebook and my friend Gayle**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

H9 Marathon- August 11, 2012

Honestly, I was scared to sign up for this race.  I was stewing on this race since late winter and finally, I just went ahead and signed up for it in June.  I've heard from other runners who ran this race previously about the level of difficulty and poor course markings.  I wasn't as worried about the level of difficulty so much because I knew I'd have 11.8 hours to finish.  I was more concerned with getting lost and no one finding me since I surmised this would be a small race and would likely run the majority of this race alone.

My goals for the race were as follows:  1.  Stay injury free  2. Eat and Drink 3. Run as much as I possibly can even if it was at a slow trot.  4.  Never stop on the climbs  5.  Do my very best  6.  Have fun!  7.  Use this as a good training run and as a gauge of how I might do on upcoming races that I am signed up for.  I figured it would be a good "test" to see where I am at now and what I might need to do to better prepare myself for my future races.

Three weeks before this race I ran the Coosa Backcountry trail with friends Jessica, Gayle, and Alan.  I am so glad this training run happened because it really boosted my confidence about H9 because it was the best I have ever felt on Coosa.  It was also awesome that we actually ran into Perry (RD of H9) weed eating the course while we were there.  He assured us that the course would be well marked.  That was my biggest fear, but felt so much better about this aspect of the race after talking with Perry.  So, after this particular training run, I knew H9 would not be the beast that I imagined it to be.  And, if it was, then I had it under control and felt prepared for whatever may be in store for me. 

As race day approaches I am finding that I am less nervous and then not nervous at all.  This is rare that I am actually NOT nervous before a race especially one at this level of difficulty.  I am actually excited and happy that I signed up for it and embrace the challenge.  I know I can do the mileage, I know I can climb hills, and I know that I am now stronger than I have ever been.  So, what is there to be scared of?  I know at the very least, that I will finish. 

The only other thing I want to have worked out is a time goal.  It just helps me to have a time in mind when preparing for a race.  So far, having a time goal has worked out for me and keeps me on track during a race.  But, this race it's harder for me to gauge because I don't know how many climbs there are and how much actual running there will be.  Finally, I just hope to come in between 8 hrs to 8.5 hours...and then just days before the race I settle in and hope for a sub 8 hour race. 

This race boasts about the August heat and humidity of this particular race.  I have prayed for rain all summer just for this race.  Funny how that works out for me as I end up running most of my long training runs in the rain for the last several weeks!  Always a reminder to becareful what I ask for!  The night before the race there is a terrible storm, and I am wide awake before 3am.  This is not unusual for me.  The thunder is so loud that it actually shakes our brick house and makes me jump in my bed!  I finally fall asleep before 4:30am only to be rudely awakened at 5:15am by the alarm.  I am so sleepy that I come back to bed and lay down for another 10 minutes.

I eat my usual peanut butter toast and a glass of milk, pack my last minute stuff and head to the race at Vogel State Park.  It's a much cooler day and surprise it's not raining anymore!  It's just wet and cool.  My favorite running weather!  How could I have asked for a better day? 

I check in at cottage 12 and pick up my awesome shirt, shorts, and a little lunch bag with the race logo on it.  Now, I am not really one for race schwagg as I'd really rather race for good chocolate, but this is really cool because there are none of those sponsor logos on the back.  It's all about the race.  I love it!

Now, I already know this race is really small, but I am shocked to discover that there are only 3 women signed up for it.  Really?  I just can't believe it.  I know there are some really tough fast ultra women out there, and I can't believe there are only 3 ladies including myself signed up.  Then I am still surprised to learn that only two of us ladies have shown up!  Margaret and myself!  So, now there is really no pressure of competition because I know how awesome Margaret is.  I know she won this race last year for the ladies.  All, I have to do is run my personal best.  I know that as long as I run my best race that I am going to be happy.  And, I have 2nd place.  So, all I need to do is focus on running.  I am already happy to run free before the race starts.

Perry gives a brief overview of the race directions which I listen particularly close to.  He says the course is really well marked and to follow all of the flags to our right marked with letters.  Great as I can follow flags just fine.  We line up for the race, and I am guessing there maybe 10-12 of us runners in total.  By far, my smallest race yet!

The race starts and I'm surprised that we are starting through the campground but that's just fine with me.  I end up running in the middle of two friends Tommy and Joe.  We are chit chatting and I learn they are from Atlanta, and we talk about a few races that we have run in.  We discover that we are all running The GA Jewel 50 mile and DRT 50k.  I'm guessing that somewhere between mile 3-4, Joe takes off and runs ahead, and then I run ahead of Tommy sometime after mile 4.  I ran behind him for awhile, but I can already see that his running gait or stride has changed and he's slowing down on the climb up Coosa.  I have finally felt warmed up at this point, and I am ready to go.  I started this race slower and now I am ready to go get it.  So, I ask Tommy if I can get by, and he kindly obliges, and I never see him again the entire race.  So, at least I am not DFL because honestly when I was on the starting line and saw all those guys, I figured that I would be DFL even if I did get 2nd place for the ladies...!  I know it's a matter of time when I do come in last, but it just wasn't going to be this day.

So now, at this point, I am climbing Coosa alone.  It's really not bad at all.  Nothing like I experienced at the DRT run, and I am actually able to run sections of Coosa Bald.  Imagine that! Then at some point, I am surprised that the flags are turning me away from Coosa down some FS road.  I am carefully watching all of the flags, and I continue to see the flags, so I know I am on course.  Eventually, this rolling FS road turns into one mother of a hill.  It is steep.  It kind of reminds me of the one at The Jewel race I ran. But, I make it up that one and continue to run.

I get to the 2nd aid station at mile 8 and see Aaron there with another volunteer.  I do not know her, but she told me she ran this same race last year and placed 2nd!  These volunteers were so awesome and kept me laughing the entire few minutes that I was there!  I asked them if I had to loop back around up that same hill, and they said, "no" and showed me which direction I would run in next and when I came back to them I'd be at mile 18 or so and would come in from a different direction behind their aid station and not in front of it like I did this time.  I said, "Good, because that hill I just came up was terrible, and I don't want to do that one again!"  This came out sounding so funny that we all laughed hysterically and then Aaron said, "Well, then you are not going to like this next one coming up!" and again we all bust out laughing again!  They by far, get the award for the most entertaining volunteer crew that I have ever encountered!  I almost just wanted to hang out and laugh some more as they were so much fun!  But, dammit, I've got another 18 miles to go! 

So, I'm off and climbing up this hill and long about maybe mile 8.5?  This guy scares the crap out of me running and yelling behind my back.  He's asking me if , "I went the right way?".  I said, "yes, I have followed all of the flags, and they are still on my right and that the volunteers at the aid station pointed me in this direction".  He said that he has run 18 miles.  I am floored that I am actually being lapped by someone on my race.  I've been running just over 2 hours at this point.  I can't figure out how he could have run 9 miles an hour on this course, and he's not from Kenya...lol  I ask him his name, and he says Johnny C.  I recognize his name from The Jewel race that I ran, as he won that race in a questionable speedy time there as well.  He is quick to ask me which race I am running and if I am in the 50 mile race.  I tell him, no, I am in the marathon race and he says that he is to and that he is in the lead.  So, I tell him that he is lapping me as I figure there is at least one person behind me as i passed him at least 4 miles ago.  He also says he has already been up this hill once.  I again tell him that I KNOW that I am in the right direction.  He runs ahead and then it's not long before he is yelling again and headed my way...  I need to start a new paragraph now because my friends who know me well are going to slap their heads when they read what happens next!

So, Johnny runs to me and asks me to run with him because he is not sure if he is going the right way and wants me to help him determine if he should go left or right!!!  LOL  I am laughing hysterically in my head because he has just unknowingly asked a very directionally challenged person for directions on a race course that I have only run sections of!  If you refer back to my "Stupid is as Stupid Does" this will be even more funny to you.  I am not about to tell him of my worst personal flaw and shortcoming because I do have some pride, and I am happy to help if I can.  Afterall, I am just out here following flags...lol  I mean seriously, who cannot follow flags...haha!  I am really pretty entertained at this point, so I pick up my pace to keep up with him.  He is kind enough to ask me if I am ok as we are running at a good clip, and I say, "sure, I needed to pick it up at this point."...LOL  Poor guy...I do kind of feel bad for him.

We make it to the top of Coosa, and I see his dilemma.  He has probably run over 19 miles at this point and there are flags to the right, which I know I should go down but then there are flags to his left turning into the top of Coosa.  He is not sure where to go.  Well, since he said he ran 18 miles already when I first saw him, I figure he must need to go down Coosa into the park as I know it's about 7 miles down give or take.  So, I point him in that direction and before he does I ask him if he thinks I should go to the right where the flags are, and he says, "I don't know" before he takes off down Coosa.  I just had to laugh, but later realized that he should have known because he would have already run down that section if he was indeed at the mileage he claimed he was at.  It did make me wonder.

So, I head down this section, and I know it from when I was here 3 weeks prior.  It's pretty rocky, muddy, steep, and wet, so I carefully make my way down to the FS road.  Now, I am perplexed because all I see are flags to my left straight away.  I remember Perry's warning that if we see flags to our left then that's the wrong direction.  I have followed all the flags to my right thus far.  So, I walk into the middle of the road and look to the road on my right, and I can see that there is an orange flag on the right down that road.  So, I naturally take the right and run down this FS road.

I am enjoying my run when a guy catches up to me.  He then tells me that he made a wrong turn and had to back track about a half mile because the flags were marked on the left and they should have been to the right.  We quickly run up on a water station and dam this is supposed to be at mile 14, and I realize I have missed the mile 11 aid station!  I ask this runner what he thinks I should do, and he advises me to run in to the 18 mile station and have them help me figure it out.  Based on his GPS and my GPS calculation we estimate that I lost about 2 miles.  DARN!  I am really really disappointed!  I want the race to be a fair race, and I don't want to cheat myself.  So, now I am worried.  Soon Margaret catches up to me, and I explain how I lost 2 miles and will have to figure it out at the next aid station. 

So for the next several miles, I am bothered by this because I figure by cutting 2 miles that I could quite unfairly come in ahead of some of the guys that I shouldn't be ahead of.  I know I am going to need to make up the mileage or else I won't feel right about the race. 

I make it off the FS road and start on a trail and there is a Gatorade station there, so I grab one and run with the bottle.  This trail is gorgeous as I run along a ridge, and it's uphill but who cares?  It's beautiful up here.  I trudge along as quickly as I can and run when I can.  I am really enjoying this section.  It's so quiet and peaceful and the weather is perfect. 

I make it to the 18 mile aid station where the volunteers are still happy and laughing.  My GPS reads 17.56 and I realize that even though I cut off 2 miles, that dang..I am making great time for ME...I am actually quite surprised that I am running as fast as I am and that I am actually running pretty much everything including small sections of hills and still only climbing the major mountains.

So, I tell the volunteers that I made a "boo boo" and explained what happened.  Aaron advises I run into the finish and ask Kena what to do and she could have me run around some trails at the park.  I really don't want to do this because I do not want to finish and not actually be finished, and I do not want to run to finish ahead of some other runners that I wouldn't have finished ahead of fairly.  So, I tell Aaron that I'll make up the mileage before the finish.  Aaron was kind enough to explain which section of the trail I missed and has the mileage in front of him and determines I missed 2.1 miles.  That's awesome because I knew it was at least 2 miles based on my discussion with the previous runner who also missed the section because of the flags being on the left.  The 3 volunteers there all assured me that "it's ok" and that it happens at every ultra and at least 4 other runners have gotten confused as well. 

So, after spending way too long at the aid station this time trying to figure out my mistake, I head back up the same hill that I met Johnny on.  I come out onto a FS road and see Perry there, and I tell him what happened although he already knew what happened when he radioed in at the aid station and the volunteers were explaining that I got confused at WildCat gap.  So, I tell him not to worry about me because I intend to make up 2 miles before I finish, and I don't want anyone to worry if it's taking me longer to finish than what it should. Perry points in the next direction I am to run in on yet another trail.

So, I go running on the trail and then the flags point yet to another FS road.  I haven't been on this road before, and I start to worry if I am on the right road, but here again I am following all the flags and Perry has pointed me in this direction.  I decide to quit worrying, then I run very low on water and then I am virtually out of water.  But, guess what?  Now, my GPS says I am at 22.69 and I am at the road, and I know exactly where I am at!!  So, I decide to turn around and run to 23.74 miles which would be 1.05 miles and then turn around to run back to the road for my 2.1 miles to make up the time that I lost.  As I am running my one mile back, I pass 3 guys at different points, and I tell them as I pass that I am making up my 2.1 miles that I lost.  It's funny that I was previously running down this mile stretch and here these guys are walking when I pass them going back up.  But, I am not finding it too funny when I to have to stop and walk up up and up some more.  That one mile couldn't pass quick enough.  So, at 23.74 arrives I turn around and go back to the road.  I know that I am not far now from the finish! 

I am happy and I am sad.  I am happy because I've just started to feel tired around mile 21 to 22, and I feel quite good, and I didn't expect to feel this good at the end.  I never hit a low point or a lull physically.   I am happy because I know I've run this course so much faster than I thought I could.  I am running to the finish, and I feel strong as it's a nice even and downhill finish.  I am sad because it's almost over, and I can run some more!  Then excited because maybe just maybe I can feel ok running 50 miles at the Jewel, after all it's still another 10 weeks away. 

I run to the finish and another runner who has finished his marathon is clapping and cheering me in.  Kena tells me I can stop running now, but I just want to run it in to the cottage because I  have been out of water and want some water pretty bad now. I stop my Garmin and Holy Cow, it says 6:51 hours.  What?  I look again, yes, it's sub 7 hours!  I finished an hour plus faster that I anticipated!

Kena is so sweet and has offered to make me anything I want to eat, but all I want right now is water, and I promise to eat before I drive home.  I try to tell her what happened but she says that Perry already told her and that I was going to make up my miles.  I tell her that I did make them up, and I am so glad I did so that the other 3 runners could come in before me who were actually ahead of me.  I also share some of the story about Johnny C. 

Kena was very apologetic about the flags at WildCat Gap and assures me that there were others who were confused as well.  It's really ok.  I was disappointed that I didn't figure it out on my own, but I know how much work they put into that course.  I saw so many areas where it had been weed eated and cleared and there were so many flags. Often times, I had no clue where I was at, but just watched the flags.   I can't imagine how much time it took to mark that course.  I really felt they did a great job overall.  I would certainly run this race again, and I would definitely recommend this one to any runner looking for a challenge.  I loved the course.

In the end, I just felt extremely grateful and thankful for so many things.  Thankful first, to my husband, Lee who affords me the time to run and is so supportive of my running and never says I shouldn't or that I can't.  And, who has never asked, why?  So, thankful that I have the opportunity to do something I love and have wanted to do for so many years, but it was never the right time.  Thankful to my running friends who have meet me rain, snow, sun, heat, humidity, before dawn and after, just to run those long grueling trails.  Who put up with me on my good days and my not so good days.  Who when I ask if we can run farther, they do even if they don't always want to.  Thankful they offer advice and share their own knowledge which only helps my running and hopefully, I am also helping them. 

Most of all, thankful that I am able to be me.